Timor-Leste

In Timor-Leste, despite progress in stabilization, significant challenges remain, particularly for women and girls. Institutional capacity constraints in the formal justice system continue to limit its ability to meet the  diverse needs of the people. To improve access to justice for all in the country and to enhance human rights protection for the most vulnerable, UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development supported three projects in Timor-Leste: (1) Human Rights-Oriented Prison Enhancement for Gender Equality (HOPE); (2) Strengthening alternative dispute resolution to increase access to justice; and (3) Advancing Equality and Inclusion: Fostering Human Rights Capacities. The third initiative was designed and implemented under the Tripartite Partnership to Support National Human Rights Institutions (the TPP).

All the initiatives fostered collaboration with key government entities, including the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsperson for Human Rights and Justice, the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, as well as the Land and Property Commission. Additionally, partnerships were established with civil society, local authorities and community leaders.

The HOPE project has contributed to meaningful improvements in the lives of female prisoners, better living conditions, promoting gender sensitivity and equipping them with tools for successful reintegration into society. Central to the initiative was the renovation of correctional facilities in Gleno in line with international human rights standards. As a result, all female inmates reported feeling safer and more protected in the upgraded environment. Vocational and financial literacy training, along with legal aid services, provided female pre-trial detainees, inmates and former prisoners with essential life skills. All participants in the financial literacy programme felt they had gained valuable knowledge, and 93 percent reported improved skills through vocational training.

Gender sensitivity training was delivered both for correctional officers and inmates, with 95 percent of the correctional officers reporting better understanding of gender equality, while 81 percent of inmates acknowledged that violence against men and women was unjustifiable.

To complement the formal justice system and reduce the burden on courts, UNDP strengthened alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms. By promoting community-based solutions, the ADR project has enhanced access to justice, particularly in underserved areas. Targeted training on impartiality, human rights and non-discriminatory practices was delivered for 193 community leaders, including 54 women, and a network of ADR officers was created to support informal justice processes at the grassroots level. The ADR process for land disputes was also improved through capacity building in human rights, gender sensitivity and conflict resolution. The production of a casebook, containing essential mediation guidance, ensured the sustainability of knowledge transfer and continued impact beyond the project’s duration. Through these integrated efforts, UNDP has laid a solid foundation for a more inclusive, accessible and community-driven justice system.

Under the TPP, UNDP supported the national Ombudsperson (PDHJ) in monitoring the implementation of the Disability Action Plan across 11 government institutions and four municipalities. The process identified areas for improvement in institutional access and service delivery and laid the foundation for institutional reforms to uphold disability rights. In parallel, over 330 civil servants, including 75 women, were trained in human rights and good governance. A national perception survey revealed low public awareness of the PDHJ’s mandate (31 percent), prompting renewed efforts to expand outreach and enhance access to remedies and protection.